View clinical trials related to Rare Disorders.
Filter by:The Gene Discovery Core at The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research based at Boston Children's Hospital studies families with rare, poorly understood or undiagnosed, but suspected genetic conditions. The primary goal of the research is to better understand the genes and proteins (gene products) involved in rare diseases. The researchers hope that our studies will allow for improved diagnosis and treatment of individuals with rare disease in the future. Individuals with any rare/undiagnosed condition are eligible to enroll. Enrollment includes: - Providing DNA and tissue samples (when available) - Access to participants' medical records - Access to genomic data (when available) Samples are used for genetic analysis (primarily exome and genome sequencing or reanalysis) to identify the genetic cause for the individual's illness. Individual research results are returned to families through their health care provider after confirmation in a clinical lab. If a cause is identified, that can be reported back to the family through their health care provider and the study's genetic counselor. When possible, the investigators also collect samples from parents and full-siblings as well as any other affected family members.
CoRDS, or the Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford, is based at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It provides researchers with a centralized, international patient registry for all rare diseases. This program allows patients and researchers to connect as easily as possible to help advance treatments and cures for rare diseases. The CoRDS team works with patient advocacy groups, individuals and researchers to help in the advancement of research in over 7,000 rare diseases. The registry is free for patients to enroll and researchers to access. Visit sanfordresearch.org/CoRDS to enroll.
Even though rare disorders usually have limited case numbers, they have induced huge impacts on patients and their families, and has heavily burdened on our society and healthcare system as well. Therefore, it is essential to detect the occurrence of disorders and thus take appropriate measures as early as possible. The preventive goal is based on comprehensive understanding on rare disorders, available diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. However, studies related to rare disorders are often impeded by limited sample sizes and infrequent exchange of research materials among institutes. After referring to foreign experiences, the investigators have noticed that a non-profit tissue bank which can reposit biological samples and thus provide researchers access to samples, may be a solution. Through sharing this public asset, the investigators believe not only quantity and quality of rare disorder studies will be improved, the collaboration between various research institutes can also be strengthened afterwards. Most important of all, those achievements can ultimately benefit patients, families and the whole society.
Background: - A number of rare inherited diseases affect only a few patients, and the genetic causes of these conditions remain unknown. Researchers are studying the use of a new technology called whole genome sequencing to learn which gene or genes cause these conditions. Understanding the genes that cause these diseases is important to improve diagnosis and treatment of affected patients. Objectives: - To identify the genetic cause of disorders that are difficult to identify with existing techniques. - To develop best practices for the medical and counseling challenges of whole genome sequencing. Eligibility: - Individuals who have one of the rare disorders under consideration in this study. These conditions are generally those in which the genetic cause of the disorder is unknown. The eligibility of most individual participants will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the researchers. - Family members of affected individuals, if that family member (often a parent) may provide genetic information. Design: - Participants in this study will have at least one and in some cases several of the following procedures: - A medical genetics evaluation. - Other tests that may include x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams, and consultations with other doctors. Not all studies are necessary for each person, but the information from the tests may be required to proceed with some of our gene sequencing studies. - Clinical photographs to document certain aspects of the disorder. - Blood and skin biopsy samples, or other tissue samples, as required by the study doctors. - Genetic testing, as decided by the researchers. However, most participants in this study can expect to undergo whole genome sequencing, which is a technique to study all of a person s genes. - Some participants may be asked to take part in a telephone interview and/or a web-based survey. - Participants will have choices about what kinds of results from whole genome sequencing they wish to learn. - After the tests have been completed and the results of the genetic studies are known, participants will be offered a return visit to the National Institutes of Health to learn these results. During this visit, participants will be asked to complete surveys and participate in interviews related to their decisions to participate in the study and to learn individual genetic test results.